Justin Herbert must go without his favorite target in a pivotal AFC West matchup against the Chiefs.
Wide receiver Ladd McConkey is officially inactive for Sunday's prime-time tilt against Kansas City due to knee and shoulder injuries that kept him limited in practice all week and resulted in a questionable designation.
McConkey's absence looms large for Los Angeles, as he has improved incrementally throughout his first season to emerge as the club's WR1. His team-leading 81 targets have resulted in 58 receptions and 815 yards -- 401 more than Joshua Palmer, who has contributed the second-most receiving yards. One of just two Chargers to catch multiple touchdowns on the year, his four scores rank only behind Quentin Johnston's six.
The rookie has been especially money of late, too, posting three consecutive performances of six-plus receptions and 80-plus receiving yards.
Down a premium safety valve and his best chain mover, Herbert will instead have to spread the ball to the aforementioned Palmer and Johnston, tight end Will Dissly and lesser-used wideouts like Simi Fehoko.
Finding momentum could prove a tall task against Kansas City's defense considering L.A. will also be without its leading rusher, J.K. Dobbins, who went on injured reserve on Nov. 30. Without Dobbins last week, the Chargers managed just 56 rushing yards against the Falcons, their second-worst outing this season. As for the passing game, Herbert threw for only 147 yards (with a 131 net), 117 of which went to the now-missing McConkey.
Still, Jim Harbaugh's banged-up crew knows what's at stake in Kansas City.
A road win would delay the Chiefs from clinching the division for at least another week -- not to mention boost L.A.'s playoff probability to 98%.
The Chargers (8-4) and the Chiefs (11-1) kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday.
